CSP Workshops Scheduled in Middle Iowa River Watershed

October 25, 2005

To help potential Conservation Security Program (CSP) participants learn more about the program and the application process, NRCS offices in the Middle Iowa River Watershed are holding 13 CSP workshops Nov. 14 through. 28. CSP signup dates have yet to be announced.

The Middle Iowa River is one of three Iowa watersheds to be included in the 2006 CSP. It includes parts of Story, Marshall, Grundy, Jasper, Tama, Poweshiek, Benton, Iowa, Linn and Johnson counties.

Meetings will be held in the following locations:

Nov. 14, 2005   9:30 to 11:30 AM
Marengo Co. Fairgrounds
800 E. Marion St @ Marengo
Eastern Ave. north off of Hwy 6 to Marion St.
       
Nov. 14, 1 to  3 PM
Grinnell Methodist Church
5th & Park @ Grinnell, IA
Hwy 6 to Park St. South 1 block to 5th St.     

Nov. 14, 7 to 9 PM
Reinig Center 
1007 S. Prospect Dr. @ Toledo
West of Toledo, south side of Hwy 30
       
Nov. 15, 9:30 to 11:30 AM
Iowa Valley Continuing Edu. Bldg
3702 Center St. @ Marshalltown
Intersection Hwy 30 & 14, turn South ¼ mile east side of road  

Nov. 15, 1 to 3 PM
Brooklyn Methodist Church 603 Clay St.
@ Brooklyn V18 to E. Pershing Dr. East 1 block to N. Clay St.  

Nov. 15,  7 to 9 PM
North Liberty Recreation Center
Gerdin Conference Center @ North Liberty
520 W. Cherry St.  From I-380 take North
Liberty Exit #4.  1.7 miles east on Penn St.
To North Liberty.  Turn south on Hwy 965 go .2 miles turn left on W. Cherry St.

Nov. 16,  9:30 to 11:30 AM
Dysart Community Building  418 Main St.
@ Dysart   Go to south end of Main St. 

Nov. 16,  2 to 4 PM
Belle Plaine Community Center
14th St. & 5th Ave. @ Belle Plaine
Go north 13th St. (Hwy 21) behind fire station
       
Nov. 16,  7 to 9 PM
Iowa Valley Continuing Edu. Bldg
3702 Center St. @ Marshalltown
Intersection Hwy 30 & 14, turn South ¼ mile east side of road  

Nov. 17, 9:30 to 11:30 AM
Solon Public Library
320 Main St.  Solon
Hwy 1 & Main St. go west on Main 3 blocks
Library on North side of street.
       
Nov. 17, 1 to 3 PM
Tama Civic Center
305 Siegel St. @ Tama
At the west end of Tama’s Main St. (3rd St.)   

Nov. 17, 7 to 9  PM
Belle Plaine Community Center
14th St. & 5th Ave.  @ Belle Plaine
Go north 13th St. (Hwy 21) behind fire station 

Nov. 28, 7 to 9 PM
Women Landowner Meeting*
Belle Plaine Community Center
14th St. & 5th Ave. @ Belle Plaine
Go north 13th St. (Hwy 21) behind fire station 

*The Nov. 28th meeting is for Women Landowners and operators, but is open to the public.

All known producers and landowners in the watershed will be sent a letter about the workshops. If you don't receive a letter and believe you may be eligible for CSP, please contact your local field office.

CSP is a tremendous opportunity for farmers who practice good soil and water conservation and are willing to do more. The purpose of CSP is to reward the best conservation farmers and motivate others to become good stewards of the land. This unique program, for those who meet the basic eligibility requirements, offers payments from five- to ten-year contracts. Payments maximums range from $20,000 to $45,000 per year.

The CSP application process is different than other USDA programs. All applicants are required to complete a self-assessment workbook to determine on their own whether or not they are likely to be eligible for the program. This process will be discussed at the meetings.

For more information go to www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov.

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Contacts:
Laura Greiner
State Public Affairs Specialist
Iowa NRCS
515-323-2207